The Hope Resource Centre will hold a noon-hour candlelight vigil on Dec. 11 to acknowledge victims of violence no mater their age, gender or race.
Centre director Sylvia Yoder said this year they’re acknowledging the 25th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre — 14 women were killed in Montreal on Dec. 6, 1989 — as well as the 40,000 missing and murdered women across the country.
They’re also going to be acknowledging local victims of violence. This is the third annual candlelight vigil the centre will host, and she hopes it will catch on as a national event.
“Violence is something that has affected every person on a global basis,” she said.
Although some progress has been made in recognizing the significance of this problem, there are many women within the area and beyond who still struggle with situations of violence and abuse — and options can be slim.
“If you don’t have money, you don’t have choices, and we believe that every human being deserves to have choices,” Yoder said.
In the Westlock area alone, more than 200 people have sought and received help from the Hope Resource Centre since it opened its doors five years ago.
On top of recognizing the tragedy that has befallen so many victims of violence and abuse, she said there’s an opportunity to turn that tragedy into triumph as the issues of domestic violence, elder abuse and bullying continue to be thrust into the spotlight.
In planning for this vigil Yoder came across an article on CBC about the 25th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre. It read: “Twenty-five years later, the message that women are disproportionately subject to violent abuse is finally being heard.”
She related to the quote strongly, noting that the government is allowing the public to have a voice, and that people have the freedom to take action.
“Our hope is that our community will support this lunch-hour event to take action as we join together to make very necessary changes within our community and our country so that gender-based violence no longer exists,” she said.
The event will start at noon at Georges L. Whissell Park for a traditional aboriginal opening prayer. Participants will then proceed to the United Church for a candlelight vigil honouring victims and survivors of family violence. The vigil will conclude with a hot lunch.
